CURRENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE USE OF HANDHELD, MOBILE COMPUTERS FOR ACCESS TO ADVANCED TRAVELER INFORMATION SERVICES

This paper discusses the use of off the shelf Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) handheld computers with emerging application software for access to comprehensive traveler information. It reviews the current development of several client-server PDA Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) operational tests in the U.S. including the Atlanta Traveler Information Showcase program taking place in the summer of 1996, the Houston TranStar Remote Information Device (RID) operational test, and the TransCal and TravInfo operational tests in Northern California. The paper discusses the transition from government funded programs towards commercial deployment. There is a rapidly emerging marketplace for applications that take advantage of off the shelf technology to provide compelling solutions for the vertical and horizontal markets for ATIS products and services. Comprehensive information content can be made available on handheld computers with wireless communications. The device can provide detailed static maps, dynamic local routing, real-time congestion, incident, and weather information, transit and ridesharing alternatives, parking availability, point-of-interest and yellow pages content, and wide-area travel options such as rail, bus, and airline schedules. The devices can be used in the home or office, while docked in the vehicle for access to GPS and vehicle diagnostics, and while traveling using multiple modes of transportation. This paper discusses the features, benefits, and developmental challenges of implementing the end-to-end client-server solutions to make the above content accessible. Some of the differences between the markets for dedicated in-vehicle navigation systems vs handheld solutions are also discussed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings available only on CD.
• Corporate Authors:

  ITS America

  1100 17th Street, NW, 12th Floor
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Wollenberg, S C
• Conference:
  • Intelligent Transportation: Realizing the Future. Abstracts of the Third World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems
  • Location: Orlando, Florida
  • Date: 1996-10-14 to 1996-10-18
• Publication Date: 1996

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: n.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access; Benefits; Diagnostic tests; Global Positioning System; Handheld computers; Information services; Intelligent transportation systems; Markets; Modal diversion; Navigation systems; Parking; Passenger information systems; Personal digital assistants; Portable equipment; Public transit; Real time control; Real time data processing; Scheduling; Traffic congestion; Traffic incidents; Traveler information and communication systems; Vehicles; Weather conditions
• Uncontrolled Terms: Diagnostics; Incidents
• Geographic Terms: Mobile (Alabama)
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Alternative transportation; In-vehicle navigation systems
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00741744
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 20 1997 12:00AM